The controversy that rocked Canadian University football is now becoming clearer as the investigation continues. A few days ago, police and the university named the players involved in the alleged distribution of steroids and HGH and other charges. The player’s name was withheld to the public pending the investigation of the authorities. However, the University of Waterloo made an immediate action on the matter to avoid the possible notion that there are a lot of football players involved in the use of steroids. They required all their players to be tested for steroids by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sports.

Defensive back Nathan Zettler, a 23-year-old football player of University of Waterloo was charged Friday for illegal possession and intent to traffic several anabolic steroids which according to authorities include nandrolone, stanozolol and testosterone. It was also reported that the player will be facing additional charges for breaking and entering, possession of stolen property, use of a stolen credit card and breaching a probation order.

The university already banned Zettler from entering the campus and suspended from the team even before the charges were laid. Another teammate of Zettler, Matthew Valeriote was also included in the suspension. He was charged with using a stolen credit card. A former teammate, Eric Legare was also charged with breaking and entering and possession of stolen property, obstructing police and breaching a probation order.

The Canadian Interuniversity Sport through the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sports conducted random steroid testing on other universities to know the extent of steroid use in football. They are also alarmed on the possible involvement of players on drug trafficking. “That someone in a CIS locker room is being investigated for the trafficking of steroids gives us great cause for concern,” said CIS head Marg McGregor when asked by The Record. “Our hope is this is an isolated incident. If it’s not isolated, that would trigger a different (response),” said McGregor. The CIS will wait for the result of the random testing at the different universities before making new decisions to address the problem.

Most athletic directors of universities subjected to random testing welcomed the action of CIS. Tom Kendall, the athletic director at the University of Guelph said that it is an unfortunate incident. But he did not expect that the result would show many athletes positive for steroids. “The CCES came and tested six of our athletes. We’ve not had the results for that but I don’t anticipate any of our athletes would be into steroids. That would be a shock to me,” he said. Athletic director Jeff Giles of McMaster said that the test is not a problem for their athletes. “Our athletes are subject to random tests 12 months a year wherever they are. So they all took this very much in stride,’ he said in email to the Globe and Mail.

University of Waterloo athletic director Bob Copeland defended why they sent the entire team to a steroid test. “Given the gravity of the charges, I think it explains why we tested the entire team,” he said. “You can imagine that this is quite shocking to the team. Right now, we want to ensure that every member of the team has the appropriate support,” he added.

Based on the investigation of the Waterloo police, the football players allegedly involved in the theft of lawn furniture and breaking into University of Waterloo School of Optometry. The value of the stolen goods was valued at $7,500. The incident happened between Feb. 1 and March 24. Aside from the different types of steroids which were identified as nandrolone, trenbolone, stanozolol and testosterone by the authorities, they found another drug which is used to treat breast cancer. Several tamoxifen drug were confiscated. This drug is sometimes used in conjunction with steroids to help prevent water retention.

Zettler will appear in court on Wednesday and is expected to post bail.

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